I purchased a while ago 6 stepper controllers: http://www.omc-stepperonline.com/24...2450vdc-15a45a-256-microstep-m542t-p-293.html and 3 power supplies: http://www.omc-stepperonline.com/sw...04a-for-cnc-router-115v230v-s50048-p-168.html for my 3d printer, and I am looking for an enclosure to house them. I do have an old computer case but the problem I have is mounting them inside, since that case basically has the outside walls to it and that's it. Any suggestion as to where I could find something like that is greatly appreciated. Thank you so much.
Hi Val...have you adapted this controller for 3d printing? I'd very much like to know more about how you were able to do that. Thanks...TP.
Hi Terry, I will be using either a breakout board or an arduino type of controller. The breakout board is not shown in the pictures, it will go on the inside so as to have its parallel connector passing thru the corresponding hole in the plate that came with the original motherboard. For further information on the drivers and the breakout board, please see the links below: Drivers: http://www.omc-stepperonline.com/24...2450vdc-15a45a-256-microstep-m542t-p-293.html Breakout board: http://www.omc-stepperonline.com/5-...face-for-stepper-motor-driver-stv2-p-197.html Since I am not an expert in electronics, I welcome any advise on how to get there faster. Thank you for stopping by.
Hi Val, I have no real electronic experience so I'm looking for solutions myself. What I've come to learn about 3d printer controllers is the need for circuitry to control the extruder heaters and read temp inputs. These cnc boards don't have that as I understand it. I ordered the new Diamond hot end extruder with the Rumba board to control three motor axis and 3 filament extruders. My problem is I'm using dual nema 23 steppers for the Y and Z axis (large format printer), and a single nema 17 for the X axis. I bought those and the power supply from Stepperonline.com. I plan to run the 23 pairs in series or parallel (don't know which is most applicable) off the same driver for each axis. (I bought low amp steppers to not exceed the max amp load for the drivers). I won't get the hot end and Rumba board for another month or two so I'm still researching on different controller options in the event that plan doesn't work out. Thanks for your response.
Hi Terry, Indeed, in order to control the extruder temperature, a different circuitry is required. Same if a heated bed is used. Regarding the setup of the stepper motors, I run 4 nema 23 on the z axis, 2 nema 23 on the y axis and 2 nema 17 for the x axis. I will keep you posted regarding the setup of these steppers as I make progress in that matter. I am not an electronics expert myself, I have a good friend who helps me with that. You made me curious, what is the printing envelope of your printer? Thanks, Val
Hi Val....I've designed my Cartesian based printer around a 22" x 30" x 36" build volume. The aluminum heated bed is fixed with a 22 x 30 surface plate that I'll run off 120v mains power. I've ordered and received most of the components SSR, heat sink, nichrome, insulators...etc. Waiting on a few odds and ends to put it all together. I've decided to use synchromesh chain and ABS printed sprockets for the axis drive mechanisms. I had the drive sprockets printed locally and I'm waiting for the chain to arrive to mount the Y and Z axis drives. I'll do the X axis last. I'm using the new OB 40X40 extrusion for the X axis bridge. I'm planning to run the drive chain inside the 40X40 to move the X slider.
Sounds like my plan of action. I started building my large 3d printer from the outside in, now I'm at that glorious moment where I got to put in the double x axis (actually 2 pcs. of 20x40 rail going parallel) and cover the printing platform with a plate and glass. Regarding the heated bed, I'm thinking more and more to use a heated silicone pad, makes for a cleaner installation than metal resistors. I am not sure, however, what kind of plate to use to have this heated pad rest on, aluminum or thermoplastic. On top of the heated pad will be the glass. I read that aluminum helps with spreading the heat from the pad more evenly across the bed surface, do you have any experience with this kind of thing? The heated pad will be around 4000 W , the dimensions around 50" x 43" and will use the 110 power grid. Thanks.
No...no experience with the heat bed. Just did my research and now I'm going to wing it and see what happens. I'll post the build when I have everything sorted out. Good luck with yours Val....
